Red Bank declares truce in sign war

Red Bank officials cited Heritage Liquors for a sign ordinance violation in a recent enforcement blitz, and later cleared the business after a review. The borough may revise its 40-year-old law.
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Red Bank delays action after businesses complain about sign law enforcement. Borough council will look at revising 40-year old, confusing ordinance in the meantime.

RED BANK – A temporary truce has been called in the borough’s war on illegal signs so officials can figure out how to tweak a confusing 40-year-old ordinance.

According to the borough, 31 summonses were issued for signs and seven for other zoning violations since a March 26 complaint about signage put up in violation of the ordinance.

“The sign ordinance has 40 different sections. As an attorney, I can’t figure it out,” Mayor Pasquale “Pat” Menna said. “Let’s look at it and come up with a reasonable alternative.”

The Borough Council decided to delay action on 16 outstanding violations Wednesday night after a contentious debate about enforcement and the effect on the business community.

Several Democratic councilmen complained about the blitz. One issue was that some longtime businesses with signs that predated the ordinance got caught in the enforcement net.

“Many restaurants complained bitterly, business owners said they had the signs (in their windows) for years,” Councilman Michael DuPont said. “Some of the violations were for businesses that had illuminated (neon) signs that predate me.”

DuPont suggested revising the ordinance using ideas from a July 12, 2013, letter from the RiverCenter business alliance. James Scavone, the alliance’s executive director, said revisions should allow illuminated signs and signs that are no higher than the top of a building, instead of limiting them to 20 feet to cover businesses on upper floors.

Republican Councilwoman Cindy Burnham, chairwoman of the code enforcement committee, said the biggest problem is that the law hasn’t been enforced.

“We said (in March) if we’re enforcing this sign ordinance, we have to do it across the board,” Burnham said. “When you have an ordinance and you don’t enforce it, people will keep pushing and pushing.”

Officials inspected businesses, took photos, consulted with zoning officials to verify violations and issued warnings, giving businesses 15 days to comply before issuing a summons, said Borough Administrator Stanley Sickels. Of the 31 stores checked, 15 were later determined to be in compliance, he said.

Burnham got some backup from Menna with examples of stores that crossed the line.

“Certain property owners have exceeded what they’re permitted to do. One property owner had advertisements for other entities, which were almost billboards (in size),” Menna said. “It’s been a continual problem.”

Council President Arthur Murphy III had the sharpest criticism for the enforcement, saying the effort hurt businesses and asking the mayor to “turn the lights back on” while the ordinance is reviewed.